James Leland Cook

James Leland Cook, age 81, went home to be with our Lord on October 7, 2026. He died in his Lancaster, California home following a courageous battle with declining health. Jim was born on February 14, 1945, in Columbus, Ohio, to the late Sherman and Ilo (Robinson) Cook.

Jim grew up in Croton, Ohio, played football throughout high school, and graduated in 1963 from Northridge Local Schools, Johnstown, Ohio. He served honorably in the United States Air Force and, afterward, applied his aircraft mechanical skills to employment at North American Rockwell in Columbus, Ohio for a couple years until the company downsized. He then became a railroad fireman for Penn Central Railroad/Conrail and was soon promoted to engineer. Following a railroad buyout, he returned to the Rockwell Corporation and then the opportunity arose to work for Northrop Grumman as a structural mechanic in California. As a boy, Jim had always dreamed of living in California so he and his wife, Mary, and son Timothy, happily moved to the Los Angeles area. It was a few years later that he returned to the call of the railroad as conductor/engineer for Amtrak and then Metrolink. Jim possessed an outstanding work ethic and enjoyed his career in the aircraft and railroad industries. He retired from the railroad after more than 30 years of dedicated service.

Jim’s family members and friends in Ohio were important to him and he visited annually, usually travelling by train.

He loved all sports and enjoyed coaching his sons when they were growing up. He was a great fan of Ohio teams, particularly the OSU Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns and Guardians, and the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds.

In addition to his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his sisters Clarice Cook and Marlene (Kenneth) Knecht, and brother Lowell Raymond Cook.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary (Sulick) Cook and their son, Timothy Cook. He is also survived by his sons of Ohio, Randal Cook and Gregory Cook, and their mother, Sandra (Mowrey) Callas; and grandson, Elliot Siqueiros Cook.

The family wishes to thank the Hospice staff for the outstanding and compassionate care they provided.

The family is planning a private gathering to celebrate Jim’s life.